Flexible structure



Jan. 27, 1931. a. E. STEVENSON FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 19, 1929 IN VEN TOR. George E. @tevenson, BY

M 1%?3 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 27, 1931 i UNITED STATES NT oFFr-cE- GEORGE E. srnvnnson, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE Application. filed September 19,1929. Serial No. 393,806.

My invention relates to flexible metallic curtains and has for one of its objects the production of a flexible metallic curtain, the

sections of which may be readily formed and Fig. 2-is an end elevation of my improvedcurtain;

V l Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of my curtain; Fig. 4 is a perspective hinged sections shape, and p A Fig. 5 is a sectional view of of the section. V r

In carrying out my invention, the curtain prior to its beingbent into a modification is formed from a series of hollow hinge sec tions 1. Eachof the sections is formed from a single blank of material 2, preferably sheet metal, and the flat sheet is transverselyslotted as at 3 so that when the panel portion 4 .is struck up, the hinge loops 5 will be formed therein. This panel portion 4 is struck up intermediate of the outer edges of the blank but nearer oneedge than the other so that V a short flap 6 and a long flap 7 are formed.

In forming the section the short flap is folded inwardly parallel with the panel portion 4 and the long flap 7 is folded over the short flap so as to project beyond the hinged edge of the panel when completed and overlap the hinged joint. In the bending and stamp- 4 ing operation, the edges of the panel are in- Near the edge of the section and in the long flap 7 or what might be termed the outer face panel, a longitudinally extending groove ductor groove toprevent the water from viewof one of the the other.

turned as at 8 so that, when the sections are hinged together a tight joint is formed.

9 may be formed which acts as a watercon-, V

gether by hinged pins 10, which pass'down through interdigitated hinge loops thus forming a complete curtain.v

In Fig. 5, I have illustrated.a'modification of my invention. In this'figure the-short flap 6, instead of being bent inwardlyand overlying the panel portion 4, is hentoutwardly V. V

and the long flap is-increasedand overlies I 1 the short flap. having'its edge bent'under the i short flap. V I

I claim as my invention the following;

1. A flexible curtain,'*composed of "aplurality 01f hingedly connected sections, each of which comprises a sheet metal strip'slotted along two parallel lines at points removed from the edges of the strip, the edges being bent upwardly andeat least one of said edges being turned to overlap the remaining p0rtion of the strip to form'hinge loops.

2. A flexible curtain composed ofa plus irality of hingedly, connected elements, each comprising asheet metal strip slotted along Y parallel lines at points removed from the I edges, the edges being turned upwardlyand at least one-of said edges overlapping the middle portion of the strip, whereby hinged loops are formed, saidoverlappingportion having alongitudinal groove thereln adja cent the hinge edge. of the section. V

3. A flexible curtain, comprising a -plu-- rality of hingedly connected sections', 'each of which comprises a sheet metal strip slotted along parallel lines'at points removed from the edges, the edgesbein'g bent back upon the middle portion and lying parallel therewith,1and one of said edges overlapping In witness whereof,I, GEORGE E STEVEN? I sort, have hereunto setmy hand at Indianapo lis, Indiana, this 14th day of September,

A. D. one thousand nine hundred andtwent-ynine.

reaching the hinges when the curtainis used for outside work. When the curtain is used in inside work this groove need not be formed. The sections thus formed are connected to r GEORGE'E. STEVENSON, 

